Rail-joint.



No. 736,883. PATENTED'AUG. 18, 1903. W. O. SGOFIELD.

RAIL JOINT.

.APPLIOATION IILLD JULY 9. 1903.

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W 6410M Ammey No- 736,883. PATENTED AUG: 18, 11903.

. W. G. SGOPIELD.

RAIL JOINT.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 9, 1903.

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WITNESSES: [NVE/VTOR 010 mm wAsnlNn UNITED STATES Patented August 18,1903.

PATENT OFFICE.

WINFRED C. SCOFIELD, OF GREENYVICH, CONNECTICUT.

RAIL-JOINT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 736,883, dated August18, 1903. Application filed July 9,1903. Serial No. 164,869. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WINFRED 0. SOOFIELD, a citizen of the United States,residing at Green wich,in the county of Fairfi old and State ofConnecticut, have invented new and useful Improvements in Rail-Joints,of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to new and useful improvements in rail-joints; andits object is to provide rails which are so constructed as to permitthem to be securely fastened together without the use of bolts or otherfastening means, the ends of the rails being adapted to interlock insuch a manner as to prevent sagging of the ends and the resultantpounding by wheels passing thereover. r

With the above and other objects in view the invention consists in thenovel construction and combination of parts hereinafter more fullydescribed and claimed, and illus trated in the accompanying drawings,showing the preferred form of my invention, and in which- Figure 1 is aside elevation of the adjoining ends of rails connected by means of myimproved joint. Fig. 2 is a similar View showing one of the ends insection. Fig.3 is a horizontal section through the joint. Fig. 4 is aperspective view of one end of a rail constrncted in accordance with myinvention. Fig. 5 is a section on line 5 5, Fig. 2. Fig. 6 is a sectionon line 6 6, Fig, 2; and Fig. 7is a plan view of the complete rail.

Referring to the figures by numerals of reference, 1 is a rail, the webof which is enlarged at each end, as shown at 2 and 3, respectively. Theenlargement 3 is provided with alongitudinally-extending slot 4, theupper inner corner of which is recessed, as shown at 5, and the upperand lower walls of this recess are at an angle to the lower face of therail. A partition 7 is interposed between the recess 5 and the rearlower'portion of slot 4., and the faces of this partition are so shapedas to be parallel with the lower face ofthe rail and with the upper faceof the recess 5, respectively. The enlargement 3 of the rail extendsbeyond the enlargement 2 and is reduced to form a key 8, which is equalin thickness to the width of the slot l. The upper edge of this key isarranged at an angle to the lower edge thereof, and tongues 9 and 10 areformed at the free ends of the key, said tongues being separated by arecess 11, which is the same in area andform as the partition 7. Theinner face of the key 8 is in alinement with the inner wall of the slot4 and with the longitudinal center of the rail. It will be understoodthat one slot and one key are formed at each end of the rail and atopposite sides thereof, as shown in Fig. 7.

When it is desired to assemble the rails constructed in the mannerherein shown, the adjoining ends thereof are placed at an angle to eachother, so as to permit the overlapping keys 8 to enter their respectiveslots 4. The rails are then placed in horizontal alinement, and it isobvious by referring to Fig. 2 that independent longitudinal movement ofthe two rails while in this position is absolutely impossible in view ofthe fact that the tongues 9 will bind upon the walls of the recesses 5and securely hold the rails together. Moreover, the tongues will supportthe abutting ends of the rails and prevent sagging thereof, andtherefore pounding will be obviated.

. In the foregoing description I have shown the preferred form of myinvention; butI do not limit myself thereto, as I am'aware thatmodifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit orsacrificing any of the advantages thereof, and I therefore reserve theright to make such changes as fairly fall within the scope of myinvention.

vHaving thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is 1. Arail having a key extending from one end thereof, said key being taperedinwardly from its free end and having tongues arranged at angles to eachother, a recess being formed within the rail, and adjacent the key,substantially the same in area and form as said key.

2. A rail having keys extending from the ends thereof adjacent oppositesides, the up per edges of said keys being inclined downwardlyandinwardly, and tongues formed integral with the ends of the keys, theupper tongues at angles to the lower tongues, the

rail having recesses in the bottom thereof I cesstherein substantiallysimilar in form and x6 and adjacent the keys, said recesses being areaas the key and adapted to receive the the same in form and area as thetongues. same.

3. A rail-joint comprising a rail having a In testimony whereof I affixmy signature key at one end and extending longitudinally in presence oftwo witnesses.

thereof, the upper edge of said key being in- WINFRED G. SOOFIELD.clined downwardly and inwardly, tongues at Witnesses:

the outer end of key and arranged at angles THOMAS J. EGAN,

to each other, and a second rail having a re- ATWOOD SLATER.

